U.S. patent application number 14/437820 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-22 for clamping device with coolant channel, method of producing the clamping device and tool holding plate for a lathe with such a clamping device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Utilis AG. Invention is credited to Carmine FABOZZI, Mario MACARIO.
Application Number | 20150298216 14/437820 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49237232 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150298216 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MACARIO; Mario ; et
al. |
October 22, 2015 |
CLAMPING DEVICE WITH COOLANT CHANNEL, METHOD OF PRODUCING THE
CLAMPING DEVICE AND TOOL HOLDING PLATE FOR A LATHE WITH SUCH A
CLAMPING DEVICE
Abstract
In the case of a clamping device (11) of a tool holding plate
for an automatic lathe, by means of which a tool holder can be
detachably fastened in a receiving slot in the tool holding plate
so as to be secured in place and rotationally fixed, wherein the
clamping device (11) can be detachably fastened to the tool holding
plate by fastening means (112), it is intended to provide optimized
cooling of tools during operation, wherein a coolant jet is
introduced into the direct vicinity of the tool. This is achieved
by a coolant channel (113) being arranged in or on the clamping
device (11), running at least partially across the clamping device
(11), from an inlet (1131), via an intermediate channel (1132) to
an outlet (1133).
Inventors: |
MACARIO; Mario; (Butschwil,
CH) ; FABOZZI; Carmine; (Munchwilen, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Utilis AG |
Mullheim |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
49237232 |
Appl. No.: |
14/437820 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
September 27, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2013/070186 |
371 Date: |
April 22, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
82/153 ; 29/592;
82/160 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23B 2250/12 20130101;
B23B 29/04 20130101; B23B 29/26 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B23B 29/04 20060101
B23B029/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 25, 2012 |
CH |
02099/12 |
Claims
1. A clamping device of a tool holder plate for an automatic
turning machine, by means of which a tool holder can be releasably
fastened in a positionally and rotationally fixed manner in an
accommodating shaft of the tool holder plate, wherein the clamping
device can be fastened releasably on the tool holder plate by means
of fastening element, wherein a coolant channel is arranged in or
on the clamping device running from an inlet, via an intermediate
channel, up to an outlet, traversing the clamping device at least
to some extent.
2. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the coolant
channel is arranged running centrally or eccentrically through the
body of the clamping device, running at least somewhat parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the clamping device.
3. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the coolant
channel has an intermediate channel, which is formed by to groove
in a clamping surface of the clamping device, wherein the coolant
channel is partially open towards the clamping surface.
4. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is
deflected in a longitudinal section plane by a deflection angle
(.alpha.) relatively to the longitudinal axis of the clamping
device.
5. The clamping device according to claim 4, wherein the outlet
comprises a plurality of outlet channels or bores.
6. The clamping device according to claim 4, wherein the outlet is
formed as a groove in the clamping surface.
7. The damping device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet is
arranged as remotely as possible from the machining region or from
the tool, in particular running at least approximately in the
centre of the clamping device in the direction of the longitudinal
axis.
8. The clamping device according to claim 1, comprising a coupling
at the inlet, to which a coolant supply line can be coupled.
9. The clamping device according to claim 8, wherein the coupling
is a quick coupling.
10. The clamping device according to claim 1, comprising a stop in
a region of a stop-side end, against which an end surface of the
tool holder can bear in a defined manner during installation of the
tool holder.
11. The clamping device according to claim 10, wherein the stop
comprises a screw, by means of which the deflection of the tool
holder can be defined.
12. A tool holder plate with at least one accommodating shaft for
the releasable fastening of a tool holder by means of a clamping
device, according to claim 1.
13. A production method and equipping method of a clamping device
according to claim 1, for the releasable fastening of a tool holder
in an accommodating shaft of a tool holder plate for an automatic
turning machine, wherein the clamping device has a clamping
surface, which can be brought directly or indirectly into contact
with a first side surface of the tool holder in a clamping manner,
comprising the step of: forming a coolant channel, comprising an
inlet, an outlet and an intermediate channel in the body of the
clamping device.
14. The production method and equipping method of a clamping device
according to claim 13, wherein the intermediate channel is formed
by a groove in the clamping surface of the clamping device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention describes a clamping device of a tool
holder plate for an automatic turning machine, by means of which a
tool holder can be releasably fastened in a positionally and
rotationally fixed manner in an accommodating shaft of the tool
holder plate, wherein the clamping device can be fastened
releasably on the tool holder plate by means of fastening means, a
tool holder plate with at least one accommodating shaft for
releasable fastening of a tool holder by means of a clamping
device, and also a production method and equipping method of a
clamping device.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Known automated turning machines, particularly automated
lathes are today used for manufacturing a multiplicity of products
in large batch numbers for use in different technical fields. Such
automatic lathes allow a fully automatic production of turned and
milled products, as automatic workpiece feeding is used.
[0003] A plurality of tool holders, which are each provided with at
least one tool, can be clamped in a tool holder plate, which
usually has at least four accommodating shafts. The tool holder
plate has a plurality of accommodating shafts, into which the tool
holders are fastened, aligned parallel and held releasably, clamped
by means of clamping devices. The tool holders are generally
constructed to have a shaft shape, wherein the tool, for example in
the form of an indexable insert, is releasably fixed on the end
facing the workpiece. If a plurality of tool holders are used in
the tool holder plate, the tool to be used can be chosen quickly
and simply and brought into contact with the workpiece. By
executing a relative movement between tool holder plate and
workpiece, the turning process is then carried out. A known tool
holder plate of this type with clamped tool holder is shown
schematically in FIG. 5.
[0004] To cool the turning or milling tool during the turning
process, coolant is applied to the tool and this is done with the
smallest possible spacing, in order to achieve an optimal cooling
action.
[0005] This may take place on the one hand by means of coolant
lines spaced from the tool holder plate, which coolant lines have
different shapes. A coolant line of this type is aligned onto the
tool at a distance from the tool holder plate, so that the coolant
can be sprayed in a directed manner onto the tool in a targeted
jet. In practice, it has been shown that an optimal setting of the
coolant jet onto the tool is difficult. Furthermore, the coolant
line projecting into the space of the tool or the workpiece to be
machined is often disruptive because of its shape, if for example
finished workpieces should be removed automatically by handling
units integrated into machines. Even if the coolant lines are
miniaturised, the same are disruptive in the case of an automated
removal of workpieces, and collisions of the handling unit with the
coolant line may occur.
[0006] If coolant lines of this type are arranged further away, in
order to improve automatic removal, the pressure of the coolant
should be increased, in order to achieve a desired cooling action.
The cutting or machining process is influenced by coolant however,
which impinges onto the tool at high pressure, in that the swarf
flow is disturbed. The swarf can be directed back onto the
component and wind around the components, which is undesired, as
this swarf is to be removed again manually. Thus, a fully-automated
machining is made impossible.
[0007] There has been a movement away from additional disruptive
coolant lines and a tool holder has been created, in which an
internal coolant channel is arranged traversing the tool holder
through bores. This is shown by way of example in FIG. 6. The
coolant supply line is attached to a corresponding connection on
the tool holder, on the side facing away from the tool. Coolant is
brought as far as the direct vicinity of the machining process
through the coolant channel, traversing the tool holder, and output
through a spray outlet, which is moulded on the tool holder in the
region of the tool.
[0008] The swarf flow and therefore the cutting process is barely
disturbed, as the coolant can be sprayed in a manner delimited
locally onto the tool. As there are no disruptive structures in the
region of the tool, components can also be removed
automatically.
[0009] As the coolant supply line must be fastened on the tool
holder, so that the coolant can flow through the tool holder as
desired, each tool holder must accordingly be specially designed.
Solutions have also been attempted, which continue the coolant
channel out of the tool holder into a specially shaped tool.
Accordingly, the tool must also satisfy the requirements and it is
not possible to use any standard tool. However, it is not only the
fact that the tool holders and possibly the tools must be equipped
with a suitable coolant channel, application is also more
difficult. If a tool has to be replaced, the tool holder must be
removed from the tool holder plate. To do this, the coolant supply
line must also be decoupled from the tool holder in each case and
correspondingly re-attached later, which is connected with
additional outlay. If the tools and/or only the tool holders are
equipped with a coolant channel, then the tool holders and/or the
tools are to be specially manufactured and are correspondingly
expensive and complex in terms of production. It is no longer
possible to use simple shaft-like tool holders, as otherwise
optimum cooling is not possible. In order to cool the tools, the
tool holders at least must be equipped with a coolant channel.
During turning operation, the coolant line must be coupled to the
tool holder and as soon as a tool needs to be changed, the coolant
line must be removed before the replacement of the tool holder or
the tool.
[0010] In order to provide known tool holders with a round cross
section with a coolant line, DE112008003674 discloses an additional
component, which has an eccentric recess for a known essentially
round tool holder and is provided with a channel bored into the
component, through which coolant can be brought to the tool-side
end of the tool holder. The additional component is specially
adapted to the essentially round tool holder to be accommodated and
fastening means are provided, in order to hold the tool holder in
the eccentric recess.
[0011] By using the additional component according to
DE112008003674, an existing shaft-shaped tool holder could be used
and fastened in the assembled eccentric recess. If a tool or the
tool holder must be replaced, a coolant supply line, which
communicates with the channel, can remain at the component during
the replacement of the tool holder.
[0012] For retrofitting existing automatic turning machines,
additional components must be manufactured as described above, into
which existing tool holders can be inserted, wherein the tool
holder should be screwed directly into the additional components.
An extra component of this type is expensive in terms of
production. Steel is generally used, wherein exact bores must be
created, which traverse the extra component, so that a suitable
coolant channel can be constructed running in the extra
component.
[0013] As existing lathe machines have tool holder plates with at
least one shaft for accommodating standardised tool holders, the
existing tool holder plate on the turning machines must be changed
accordingly for accommodating the additional component.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention has set itself the object of creating
a possibility of creating an optimised cooling of tools during
operation, wherein a coolant jet is brought into the direct
vicinity of the tool, a simplified replacement of the tool or the
tool holder is enabled without decoupling the coolant line, and
also a simple equipping of known tool holder plates of existing
turning machines is enabled without changes at the automatic
turning machines.
[0015] This is achieved with an improved clamping device for the
tool holder in at least one shaft of the tool holder plate. In
addition to the fixing, the clamping device is therefore used for
conveying the coolant by means of a coolant channel, whereby the
clamping device has two functions.
[0016] The equipping of an existing clamping device inter alia by
shaping a groove as coolant channel is claimed in Claim 12.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] A preferred exemplary embodiment of the subject of the
invention is described in the following in connection with the
attached drawings.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tool holder plate with
two clamping devices and a releasably held tool holder.
[0019] FIG. 2a shows a side view of a tool holder and a clamping
device, wherein the tool holder plate has been omitted for the sake
of clarity, whilst
[0020] FIG. 2b shows a sectional view along the line C-C from FIG.
2a.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through a clamping
device with eccentrically running coolant channel, whilst
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a clamping device with an
intermediate channel realised as a groove and a tool holder that is
indicated dashed.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a perspective schematic view of a tool holder
plate with clamping device for the releasable connection of
shaft-shaped tool holders according to the prior art.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a tool holder with
integrated coolant channel and outlet nozzle in the region of the
tool.
DESCRIPTION
[0025] A tool holder plate 1 for a turning machine, more precisely
for automatic turning machines and therefore for a turning machine,
in which a machining manufacturing process of a workpiece 4 can
proceed fully automatically, is illustrated in FIG. 1. In this
case, the turning machine and automation devices, for example
handling units integrated in the turning machine for the automatic
equipping of a tool holder with tools, have not been illustrated
for the sake of clarity.
[0026] The tool holder plate 1 has a plurality of accommodating
shafts 10. Here, one is concerned with a tool holder plate 1 that
is used as standard and commercially available and is used widely
in commercially available lathe machines, wherein two recessed
accommodating shafts 10 are illustrated. The tool holder plate 1 is
optimised on the basis of the shaping of the accommodating shafts
10 for accommodating tool holders 2 using a shaft and is
commercially available. The tool holder 2 carries a tool 3 on the
tool-side in a tool recess, for example an indexable insert 3, as
illustrated in the figures here. A relative movement between the
tool holder plate 1 and therefore between at least one inserted
tool 3 and a workpiece 4 can be carried out, as a result of which
the machining can be carried out.
[0027] Each accommodating shaft 10 is formed by a bearing surface,
a tool bearing surface 100 and an opposite clamping wedge surface
101, wherein these surfaces run in the direction of the
longitudinal direction 1 of the tool holder plate 1.
[0028] After inserting the tool holder 2 into the accommodating
shaft 10, the same is aligned in the longitudinal direction 1 in
such a manner that the tool 3 protrudes from the accommodating
shaft 10 and can be brought into contact with the workpiece 4 as
desired. Once the alignment of the tool holder 2 has taken place,
the same is releasably fixed in the accommodating shaft 10 in a
clamping manner by means of a clamping device 11. The clamping
device 11 has a tool-side end W and a stop-side end A along its
longitudinal axis L. A positionally and rotationally fixed fixing
of the tool holder 2 is achieved by means of the clamping
device.
[0029] To fix the tool holder 2, the clamping device 11, which
usually has a wedge-like shape in a plane perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis L of the clamping device 11, can be inserted
between a first side surface 20 of the tool holder 2 and the
clamping wedge bearing surface 101 of the accommodating shaft 10.
The clamping device 11 presses the tool holder 2 against a tool
bearing surface 100 of the accommodating shaft 10 using a second
side surface 21. A clamping surface 110 in this case bears directly
against the first side surface 20 of the tool holder 2 in a
parallel running manner, whilst a wedge surface 111 points in the
direction of the clamping wedge bearing surface 101 of the
accommodating shaft 10 on the side of the wedge surface 111
opposite the clamping surface 110.
[0030] The clamping device 11 and therefore the tool holder 2 can
be releasably fastened on the tool holder plate 1 by means of
fastening means 112, so that the tool holder 2 can also be
releasably fastened in the accommodating shaft 10. A plurality of
screws are provided here as fastening means 112, which are provided
with a hexagonal socket and can simply be screwed tight on the tool
holder plate 1, whereby the tool holder 2 can be held indirectly in
a clamping and positionally fixed and rotationally secured manner.
Such a tool holder plate 1 with clamping device 11 for fastening
tool holders 2 is known as such from the prior art, which can also
be seen from FIG. 6.
[0031] The clamping device 11 illustrated here according to FIG. 1
is designed to be longer in the direction of the longitudinal axis
L thereof than the tool holder 2 and novelly has a stop 116 on the
stop-side end A facing away from the tool 20. The tool holder 2 can
be fastened aligned relatively to the clamping device 11 up to the
contact of an end surface 22 of the tool holder 2 with the stop
116. For simple adjustment of the tool holder 2, a stop 116 is
provided with a screw, which can be screwed by means of a
projection on the stop-side end A to the desired deflection
parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the clamping device 11.
[0032] In order to cool the tool 20 during the turning process, a
coolant is applied onto the tool 20 through a coolant channel 113
running through the clamping device 11 at least to some extent.
[0033] This can be seen in the FIGS. 2b, 3 and 4. The coolant is
introduced into the coolant channel 113 by a coolant supply line
114 and a connected coupling 115, before it is deflected, after
passing through the coolant channel 113, in a targeted fashion
under a sufficiently high pressure onto the tool 3 by means of a
coolant jet 5. In the sectional view of FIG. 2b along the line C-C
from FIG. 2a, it can be seen that the coolant channel 113 here runs
in a partially recessed manner in the clamping surface 110. The
coolant channel 113 is therefore realised open to the first side
surface 20 of the tool holder 2.
[0034] The path of the coolant via the coolant supply line 114, the
coupling 115 into the coolant channel 113 is illustrated in the
sectional view according to FIG. 3. The coolant channel 113
comprises an inlet 1131, an intermediate channel 1132 and an outlet
1133.
[0035] The external coolant channel 114 can be realised as a pipe
or hose made from metal, particularly from high-grade steel or from
plastic, particularly from PTFE, PFA, vinyl, nylon, polyethylene or
rubber, usually with a nominal size of 1/8 inch. The coolant supply
line 114 is fastened on a coupling 115, which can have different
shapes and can be constructed inter alia as a quick coupling.
[0036] The aperture of the coupling 115 opens into the inlet 1131,
which is here arranged approximately at half the length of the
clamping device 11 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. The
inlet 1131 is realised as a bore and traverses the clamping device
11 approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis L up to
half of the transverse extent of the clamping device 11. It is
advantageous if the opening from the coupling 115 into the inlet
1131 is arranged as far as possible from the machining region or
from the tool 3.
[0037] The inlet 1131 can optionally also be arranged in the region
of the stop-side end A of the clamping device 11, wherein a
correspondingly longer intermediate channel 1132 must then be
constructed. In this case, the coolant supply line 114 is only
guided up to the stop-side end A of the clamping device 11 and the
coupling 115 is likewise shifted to the stop-side end A.
[0038] The intermediate channel 1132 adjoins the inlet 1131, which
intermediate channel traverses the body of the clamping device 11
at least to some extent and opens into the outlet 1133. The outlet
1133 is arranged in the region of the tool-side end W of the
clamping device 11 in such a manner that, in the case of a securely
clamped clamping device 11, a coolant jet 5 is directed onto the
tool-side end of the tool holder 2 or onto the tool 3 fastened
thereon. Here, the outlet 1133 is shaped as a bore through the body
of the clamping device 11. This bore is recessed running at a
deflection angle .alpha. relatively to the longitudinal axis L of
the clamping device 11.
[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate channel 1132 is
configured as a groove 1132 in the clamping surface 110 of the
clamping device 11. As the clamping device 11 also consists of
steel, bores traversing the body of the clamping device 11
completely are time-consuming and expensive to produce, for which
reason, the recessing of the groove 1132 in the clamping surface
110 is advantageous. If the groove 1132 is chosen as intermediate
channel 1132, three side surfaces of the intermediate channel 1132
are formed by the body of the clamping device 11, whereby an open
intermediate channel 1132 results from this. The coolant channel
113 is therefore realised to be partially open towards the clamping
surface 110.
[0040] In tool holders 2 securely clamped by means of a clamping
device 11, the first side surface 20 of the tool holder 2 and the
clamping surface 110 of the clamping device 11 lie flush parallel
with one another, so that the first side surface 20 seals the
intermediate channel 1132 of the coolant channel 113 with respect
to the tool holder 2. As a result, coolant is conveyed through the
groove 1132 formed in the clamping surface 110 up to the outlet
1133 also at high pressure. If the intermediate channel 1132 is
shaped as a groove in the clamping surface 110, the side surface 20
of the tool holder 2 is used as end surface of the intermediate
channel 1132 and is partially pre-cooled, whilst the coolant flows
through the intermediate channel 1132 in the direction of the
tool-side end W.
[0041] The intermediate channel 1132 can also be arranged as a
closed channel into the body of the clamping device 11, connecting
the inlet 1131 and the outlet 1133 within the clamping device 11.
In this case, the coolant channel 113 can be introduced running
centrally or eccentrically through the body of the clamping device
11. The coolant channel 113 is then arranged completely remotely
from the first side surface 20 and the tool holder 2. Therefore,
the coolant channel 113 is arranged running in the clamping device
11 and spaced from the tool holder 2.
[0042] In a further embodiment, the outlet 1133 can be formed as a
groove in the clamping surface 110, wherein the end of the outlet
1133 is configured on the tool-side end W of the clamping device 11
as a groove with the deflection angle .alpha. with respect to the
longitudinal axis L in a longitudinal section plane. A modification
of this type is not illustrated in the figures. The production of
the outlet 1133 is correspondingly facilitated.
[0043] The outlet 1133 can also be constructed from a plurality of
outlet channels or bores, depending on the requirement for the
coolant jet 5 to be achieved or the machining application to be
carried out. Accordingly, the outlet channels, which form the
outlet 1133, can be aligned at different deflection angles .alpha.
relatively to one another.
Production Method and Equipping Method of a Clamping Device
[0044] Existing tool holder plates 1 with at least one
accommodating shaft 10, in which a tool holder 2 can be held
releasably by means of a clamping device 11, can be equipped easily
and can be equipped with the new cooling system. The clamping
device 11 exclusively must be adapted, the tool holder plate 1 and
the tool holder 2 remaining unchanged. The clamping device 11 must
be provided with the coolant channel 113, wherein the inlet 1131,
the intermediate channel 1132 and the outlet 1133 are attached in
or on the body of the clamping device 11 in various configurations,
as described above. The inlet 1131 is connected to the coupling 115
and the coolant supply line 114 can then be releasably connected to
the coupling 115.
[0045] Thus, during a tool replacement, the coolant supply line 114
can remain fastened on the clamping device 11 and accordingly, the
cooling can be restarted quickly after the tool replacement. The
refitting by exchanging existing clamping devices with clamping
devices 11 with integrated coolant channel 113 can be carried out
easily and quickly. Furthermore, standardised tool holder plates 1
and tool holders 2 can be used.
[0046] In the embodiments described here, the coolant channel 113
can be fastened indirectly or directly on the tool holder 2,
depending on the configuration of the sections of the coolant
channel 113. As the coolant channel does not pass through the tool
holder 2, known simple and one-piece tool holders 2 can furthermore
be used. If the coolant supply line 114 is coupled by means of
coupling 115 on the clamping device 11, even a removal of the tool
holder 2 can take place without the coolant supply line 114 having
to be dismantled.
REFERENCE LIST
[0047] 1 Tool holder plate [0048] 1 Longitudinal direction [0049]
10 Accommodating shaft [0050] 100 Tool bearing surface [0051] 101
Clamping wedge bearing surface [0052] 11 Clamping device [0053] 110
Clamping surface [0054] 111 Wedge surface [0055] 112 Fastening
means [0056] 113 Coolant channel [0057] 1131 Inlet [0058] 1132
Intermediate channel [0059] 1133 Outlet [0060] 114 Coolant supply
line [0061] 115 Coupling [0062] 116 Stop [0063] .alpha. Deflecting
angle [0064] L Longitudinal axis [0065] W Tool-side end [0066] A
Stop-side end [0067] 2 Tool holder (turning tool) [0068] 21 First
side surface [0069] 21 Second side surface [0070] 22 End surface
[0071] 3 Tool (turning tool, e.g. indexable insert) [0072] 4
Workpiece [0073] 5 Coolant jet
* * * * *